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Calls for peace as Russia-Ukraine conflict marks one year
Today, February 24, 2022, marks one year since Russian President Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine with his army. His justification for the invasion is based on his opposition to Ukraine becoming a member of NATO and the European Union. This has been a significant gamble for President Putin. He had anticipated that his forces would overrun any opposition and that Russia would achieve its goal in a matter of weeks. Not so. With tens of thousands of casualties, destruction of cities, and millions fleeing the country, the war has brought major headaches for President Putin. Around 8 million Ukrainians have been displaced across Europe and further afield, while thousands of soldiers have died on both sides. Various Western sources estimate the conflict has caused 150,000 casualties on each side. Europe has been more united than before, and Russia is on the receiving end of hard sanctions imposed by the West. One year on, global support for Ukraine remains strong. The invasion has been denounced by the international community at large since it began. Even Pope Francis has demanded that the conflict end right away. China, Iran, and India, close Russian allies, have attempted to distance themselves from the conflict by requesting a cessation of hostilities and the promotion of dialogue to resolve their dispute. “All parties should support Russia and Ukraine in working in the same direction and resuming direct dialogue as quickly as possible,” Beijing’s foreign ministry said, stressing that “nuclear weapons must not be used and nuclear wars must not be fought.” Furthermore, the United Nations General Assembly, overwhelmingly voted in favor of a resolution calling on Russia to end its hostilities in Ukraine and withdraw its forces. Although the resolution is non-binding, the vote serves as a barometer of world opinion. Pakistan, on its part, has clearly and rightly stayed away from taking sides and has also called for dialogue between the two warring parties. It retains a...
China retaliates at US- maintains stance to de-escalate Russia-Ukraine conflict
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that China was considering arming Russia in its war against Ukraine. Beijing said the claims were false and accused Washington of spreading lies. If anything, China has called for “peace-loving “nations to act to end the conflict On 19th February 2023, on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, a Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, Wang Yi, met Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, to discuss the Ukraine conflict. He stated that “China has always stood on the side of peace and dialogue and has always insisted on urging peace and promoting talks.” As the Russia-Ukraine war approaches the one-year mark, Wang Yi also stated, “China stands by principles and does not wish to see any escalation in the conflict between the two countries.” “We do not want to see the crisis in Ukraine prolonged and expanded and are willing to work with the international community to avoid further deterioration of the situation and persistently strive for peace,” Wang added. Furthermore, in response to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stating that China was considering arming Russia in its war against Ukraine (CBS News), Beijing said the claims were false and accused Washington of spreading lies. If anything, China called for “peace-loving “nations to act to end the conflict. Wang also stated that China had “neither stood by idly nor thrown fuel on the fire” for the Ukraine war. (Reuters) I suggest that everybody starts to think calmly, especially friends in Europe, about what kind of efforts we can make to stop this war,” Wang said. Moreover, he stated that there were “some forces that seemingly don’t want negotiations to succeed, or for the war to end soon”, but did not say whom he meant. Blinken’s remarks come ahead of a scheduled visit by Mr Wang to Moscow, as part of the Chinese foreign policy chief’s tour of Europe, for talks...
The Global Security Initiative Concept Paper
The ongoing global socioeconomic and political crisis calls for unified efforts to tackle the dire disorder faced by humankind. Noting that, the Chinese President has devised a strategy to ensure global security. The Global Security Initiative (GSI), put out by Chinese President Xi Jinping, urges nations to adapt to the drastically shifting global environment in a spirit of solidarity and to approach the complex and interconnected security concerns with a win-win mentality. The GSI seeks to eradicate the underlying causes of international conflicts, enhance global security governance, promote lasting peace and development globally, and encourage cooperative, worldwide efforts to provide stability and certainty in a turbulent and changing environment. Xi believes in comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security. The core of his vision is to promote a concept of common security, respecting and preserving the security of every state; a holistic approach, maintaining security in both traditional and non-traditional domains and enhancing security governance in a coordinated manner; staying committed to the UN charter and international principles; a commitment to cooperation, bringing about security through political dialogue and peaceful negotiation; and pursuit of sustainable security, address conflicts through dialogue and developmental development. Xi opines that the Cold War mindset, unilateralism, bloc conflict, and hegemony oppose the spirit of the UN Charter and hence must be resisted and rejected. Besides, the international organizations for multilateral cooperations, such as ASEAN, BRI, SCO, AU, etc., must be strengthened and sustained to address the multifaceted perils and draw out opportunities for collaboration. Below is the original concept note: I.Background The issue of security bears on the well-being of people of all countries, the lofty cause of world peace and development, and the future of humanity. Today, our world, our times and history are...
US Urged to Repair Ties With China
Wang calls on Washington to acknowledge damage to relations caused by airship hype The unofficial nature of the latest meeting between Chinese and United States senior diplomats points to the serious damage that Washington has brought to its ties with Beijing and the dire need to repair the great shortage of mutual trust, observers said. They made the observation as senior Chinese diplomat Wang Yi met in "an unofficial engagement" with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the request of the US side on the sidelines of the 59th Munich Security Conference on Saturday. Wang, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, made explicit "China's solemn position on the so-called airship incident", according to a statement by the Foreign Ministry. He asked the US to "change course (and) acknowledge and repair the damage that its excessive use of force caused to China-US relations". Earlier this month, the US military shot down a Chinese unmanned airship that was spotted in US airspace, triggering Beijing's strong protests. China reiterated that the civilian unmanned airship, due to the Westerlies — prevailing winds from the west — and limited self-steering capability, deviated from its planned course and entered US airspace. Before and following the shooting down of the airship, some senior US officials and politicians hyped the airship and China's so-called "threat" to the US. An unnamed Foreign Ministry spokesperson quoted Wang on Sunday as saying at the talks with Blinken that "the US is in no position to smear China. What the US needs to do is demonstrate sincerity and face up to and resolve the damage that its abuse of force has done to China-US relations". Wang said that "if the US continues to dramatize, hype up or escalate the situation, China will surely respond by doing what is necessary", and "all consequences arising thereof shall...
Afghanistan and World Community
By Imtiaz Gul With every passing day, the international community seems to be reconciling itself with the idea of “practical engagement “instead of formally recognizing Afghanistan’s Taliban regime. The ultra-radical militia that swept back to power in August 2021 refuses to allow girls and women back to secondary and higher education and work. For them the issue relates to their version of Islamic sharia and also rooted in the tribal culture and hence a non- negotiable under the current circumstances. The world, on the contrary, insists females must be free to pursue education and work but finds it difficult to resort to the extreme step i.e. further sanctions and disengagement. No surprise that in December (2022) the regime declined, on the eleventh hour, to receive a UN delegation in Kandahar, the literal Mecca of the militia. The internationals intended to raise the women’s’ issue with the top leadership but were politely told off. In mid-January Ms Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General, led a delegation to capital Kabul for meetings including one with the Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi. She also managed to get audience with a deputy minister in Kandahar. Ms Mohammad’s visit came to the context of a harsh crackdown on Afghan women; the regime ordered most female NGO staff to suspend their activities until further. Girls had already been barred from attending universities. Women are also shut out of public parks and baths – that have been so common in cities such as Kabul and Mazare Sharif in the north. These restrictions prompted the U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken to say the Taliban are trying to sentence Afghanistan’s women “to a dark future without opportunity” by banning them from attending universities.” Ms Mohammed told Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in the meeting (January 18) that the purpose of her visit was aimed at “witnessing the situation up close” and delivering the international community’s message about women’s access to...
IMF: China to be largest global growth contributor
China is likely to become the largest contributor to world growth in 2023 without driving up global inflation, an official at the International Monetary Fund said on Thursday. Steven Barnett, IMF's senior resident representative in China, said the fund expects China to contribute about one-third of global growth this year, making the country the single largest contributor to global growth. According to the IMF's World Economic Outlook Update in January, the world output is forecast to expand by 2.9 percent this year, to which China is expected to contribute about 1 percentage point, Barnett said. China's growth rebound also has a positive growth spillover on other economies, he said, adding that faster growth in China can lift growth in other economies as the country buys more goods from elsewhere while Chinese tourists travel more elsewhere. "We don't think that China's rebound will drive global inflation," Barnett said. "We do not expect inflation in China to pick up that much." China's economic rebound this year is likely to be driven more by consumption than infrastructure, which means that the spillover effect on commodity prices would be less than previous recoveries, he said. Barnett made the remarks at a seminar to discuss the global economic situation and elaborate on the World Economic Outlook Update. The event was co-hosted by the IMF's office in China and the Institute of World Economics and Politics at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. The latest World Economic Outlook Update, released in January, has revised China's economic growth forecast for 2023 to 5.2 percent, up from 4.4 percent in October. Date: 17-02-23 Source: China Daily
Did the Chinese Spy Balloon Incident Severe The US-China Economic Ties?
With China, we are interacting on two levels. One is geopolitical, where tensions have been rising quickly, while the other is commercial, where consumers and businesses, play a significant role. Regardless of the recent Balloon incident, this week saw an all-time high record of $690 billion in US-China merchandise trade, exceeding the record set in 2018. However, if the next crisis between Beijing and Washington is bigger than a balloon, it might prove much harder to deflate. On 7th February 2023, President Joe Biden stated in his state of the Union address that he would cooperate with China but vowed, “If China threatens our sovereignty, we will act to protect our country. And we did.” It was a hint towards a recent incident where (according to US officials) “A Chinese surveillance balloon” floated across the US. In response to this, Fareed Zakaria, Indian- American journalist Washington Post, shared his take on how the Beijing government tried to downplay the whole episode, expressing regret initially and then using its censorship of media and social media to tamp down the flames of Chinese nationalism. Furthermore, he mentioned how in 2001, an American spy plane collided with a Chinese jet fighter, killing the Chinese pilot. This resulted in the American plan to land on Hainan Island, where Chinese authorities took the crew into custody. However, in just eleven days, once the US issued a letter of regret, China accepted the apology and released the Americans (The Guardian, 2001). It is a prime example of how both countries had a stable bilateral relationship, contrary to the current time, where it’s unimaginable to picture having an issue resolved so smoothly and quickly between the two. Also, Zakaria mentioned that the fascinating part about the whole situation is that while the two countries are at the peak of geo-political tensions, they remain deeply interconnected economically. Regardless of the Balloon incident, this week saw an all-time high record of...
China has debunked “the myth that modernisation means westernisation”-Xi Jinping
Xi emphasized “vigorously promoting Chinese-style modernization,” calling it a “new model for human growth.” “Experience has proved that Chinese- style modernization is feasible, and it is the only correct path for building a strong country and rejuvenating the nation. On 7th February 2023, Chinese President Xi Jinping held a policy speech with top Communist Party cadres and officials, a month before China’s annual parliamentary meetings known as the “Two Sessions,” where it will present its plans for how the country can move past the disruption of last year and return the economy to growth. All the Politburo members, military commanders, fresh faces on the Central Committee, regional governors, and ministries attended the speech. Dispelling the illusion that “modernization is equal to westernization,” Xi emphasized “vigorously promoting Chinese-style modernization,” calling it a “new model for human growth.” Innovation must be prioritized to contribute to China’s overall national development, leading to a road to modernization that is more efficient than capitalism and in line with the Communist party’s agenda. Furthermore, he stated that, “Experience has proved that Chinese- style modernization is feasible and stable, and it is the only correct path for building a strong country and rejuvenating the nation.” Although China’s top-down governance system and iron-fisted Communist Party have allowed it to implement transformative economic policies, the economy has stagnated due to three years of strict COVID restrictions and government crackdowns on technology, private education, and real estate sectors. China has to work towards boosting its economic activity this year. Xi underlined the need for increased guidance to help corporate organisations boost confidence and maintain social expectations. Similarly, in his State of the Union Address, US President Joe Biden made a statement the same day by emphasizing the need to promote American sectors while praising...
How Indian Billionaire Gautam Adani lost half of his wealth within 10 days.
The turmoil from Hindenburg’s Jan. 24 report has resulted with Adani stocks now having lost US $120 billion, more than half of their market value. The Adani group has been specifically accused for “(1) stock manipulation (2) and laundering money through Adani’s private companies onto the listed companies’ balance sheets to maintain the appearance of financial health.” Gautam Adani, a self-made Indian billionaire with a vast enterprise that made him the third-richest person in the world and the wealthiest man in Asia (According to Forbes list of billionaires), has seen more than half of his fortune disappear over the course of 10 dramatic days. The Adani Group lost more than US $120 billion (Reuters) in market value as investors jumped ship. All this occurred on January 24, 2023, when a small U.S. short-seller business, Hindenburg Research, accused the Adani Group of stock manipulation and fraud, causing the market to crash. The report had 88 questions directed at the Indian conglomerate, charging it with using well-known tax havens and with having a primary objective of fraudulently inflating the market value of its listed companies. The most damaging of the Hindenburg contentions is that Vinod Adani, Gautam Adani’s oldest brother, has created a large number (38, by Hindenburg’s count) of shell companies based in Mauritius, and used them specifically for “(1) stock parking (2) and laundering money through Adani’s private companies onto the listed companies’ balance sheets to maintain the appearance of financial health” (Washington Post). In response, the Adani Group executives retaliated, refuting the accusations in a thorough 413-page report. They referred to it as “nothing but a lie” and a “calculated attack on India.” However, Adani was forced to withdraw when a 2.5-billion-dollar stock sale happened to raise additional funds for the business. Considering Adani is considered a hero in India, the amount of power he yields is beyond incredible amongst groups like...
Unemployment and Youth Bulge Aggravate Pakistan’s Economic Crisis
The rising unemployment rate among the young population has given way to increasing various socioeconomic issues in Pakistan. The youth either lack technocratic education or do not have adequate platforms to utilize their skills. As a result, even the talented ones are underpaid, struggling to steer through the current economic crisis. If not tackled wisely, the country may experience a massive brain drain and a sessile economy. Against the backdrop of recent floods, an ongoing foreign exchange crisis, and rising inflation, the Pakistani youth has been hit hard by massive unemployment. Sixty-four percent of the country’s population is under the age of 30. There is a noticeable youth bulge, which, if it is not addressed, will have serious effects on the state, society, and economy, further exacerbating the hopelessness, despair, and misery now afflicting the nation. The skills mismatch widespread among 18 to 25-year-olds in Pakistan is probably one of the main causes of youth unemployment, which is a burden Pakistan must shoulder. Many young people do not have access to high-quality education or the skills needed to find and keep jobs in a highly competitive economy. Due to a lack of relevant and market-driven skills, Pakistan is losing almost an entire generation. The need for better skills renders many unskilled people obsolete, forcing them to live in poverty. Unskilled, illiterate workers put in long hours of labor with inflated hopes for their careers since they know they won’t get very far without even the most basic abilities. According to the recent report of the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE), one-third of Pakistani youth are unemployed. The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) released the Labour Force Survey (LFS) in 2021, which revealed an increase in unemployment, with educated young being more likely to have trouble obtaining employment. Underemployment or the forced acceptance of low-paying work by people indicates that strong...
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I am also a member of National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting. Recently, we held a meeting with the Director General of Radio Pakistan and we told them to initiate such local programs (like Constituency Hour) in regional languages to educate and inform people. Even Indian Radio can be heard in FATA which is being used for propaganda purposes and must be closed. Therefore, we should launch some standard and quality programs like CRSS that will change the taste of the listeners.